Inverter Spontaneous Combustion

CampCreekRV · Mar 26, 2021

Australian distributed Projecta IP2000 PSW inverter. This unit has been installed in my motorhome for 3 years and worked very well.
Then I opened my van door early in the morning to be confronted by the stench of toxic smoke.
Despite the inverter being switched off it just combusted overnight, my concern is that this could well have ended a larger fire in the vehicle.
The unit is a medium to high price item, listed at $1500-$2000.

Burnt clean through the PCB

rogerdw · Mar 26, 2021

Wow, that's a bit frightening.

It used to be that having the switch off meant that everything was disconnected ... but not any more.

So what part of the circuit is that ... something with battery volts across obviously.

Bud Martin · Mar 26, 2021

That section looks to be the LC Output filter for the AC output..

CampCreekRV · Mar 26, 2021

Not certain but the 5 x 400v caps certainly went into a big meltdown. My Circuit Breaker is always switched off along with the inverter control switch while I'm not using the motor-home.
New inverter will be installed with a smoke detector module adjacent that will switch a 500A motorised battery disconnect relay. Not taking the chance of that happening again.

Bud Martin · Mar 26, 2021

CampCreekRV said:
Not certain but the 5 x 400v caps certainly went into a big meltdown. My Circuit Breaker is always switched off along with the inverter control switch while I'm not using the motor-home.
New inverter will be installed with a smoke detector module adjacent that will switch a 500A motorised battery disconnect relay. Not taking the chance of that happening again.

Circuit breaker for the AC output or for the DC input to the inverter?

CampCreekRV · Mar 26, 2021

Bud Martin said:
Circuit breaker for the AC output or for the DC input to the inverter?

As per the photo; 240V output circuit breaker. To date I have only chosen to use Bussman battery terminal fuses on the DC side.

CampCreekRV · May 4, 2021

Update on this issue : the Supplier has offered to send a replacement Inverter despite the warranty period having expired, that is great service!
I'll continue to recommended their products based on this kind of customer service.

wattmatters · May 4, 2021

CampCreekRV said:
Update on this issue : the Supplier has offered to send a replacement Inverter despite the warranty period having expired, that is great service!
I'll continue to recommended their products based on this kind of customer service.

It might be great service but why did it blow up? Without understanding the cause, are you just getting a replacement ticking bomb?

CampCreekRV · May 4, 2021

wattmatters said:
It might be great service but why did it blow up? Without understanding the cause, are you just getting a replacement ticking bomb?

Fair comment, but all constantly connected inverters are ticking time bombs. I have installed a TBS remote 500A relay combined with the REC inverter time delay controller. When I'm not travelling in my van the inverter stays separated from the batteries.

wattmatters · May 4, 2021

But did they say what caused it? Is it not designed for continuous operation?

CampCreekRV · May 4, 2021

I disassembled it myself, best educated guess considering the destruction is a dry solder joint began the chain reaction, high frequency inverters tend to run hotter than low frequency units. Projecta didn't provide me their thoughts on a cause.

wattmatters · May 4, 2021

CampCreekRV said:
I disassembled it myself, best educated guess considering the destruction is a dry solder joint began the chain reaction, high frequency inverters tend to run hotter than low frequency units. Projecta didn't provide me their thoughts on a cause.

Well fingers crossed you, I or anyone else here don't experience such a thing happening again! The prospect of a fire starting from an idle piece of equipment is super scary. Glad you're OK and not more damage was done.

OnTheRoadAgain · May 4, 2021

Is the case metal?
Seems a non metal case would have spelled disaster.
I think most (if not all) inverters have metal cases for that reason?

CampCreekRV · May 4, 2021

wattmatters said:
Well fingers crossed you, I or anyone else here don't experience such a thing happening again! The prospect of a fire starting from an idle piece of equipment is super scary. Glad you're OK and not more damage was done.

Put it this way, I'll never sleep in a confined space with an inverter connected to the battery bank again, "soft" switching the 12v supply to the inverter is now the new norm for me ?

pollenface · May 4, 2021

I wonder if an insect got into it and caused some havoc.

wattmatters · May 4, 2021

pollenface said:
I wonder if an insect got into it and caused some havoc.

That's a feature, not a bug!

Keith C · May 5, 2021

That zorched FR4 will have your place stinking for a freaking year.. So sorry for you man.

schmism · May 5, 2021

My money is on vertical mounted inverter on a high vibration environment and fatigue failure of the through hole components.

CampCreekRV · May 5, 2021

Lost your money $$$ Horizontal mount on anti vibration rubber mounting feet ?

EricBarbour · May 5, 2021

CampCreekRV said:
I disassembled it myself, best educated guess considering the destruction is a dry solder joint began the chain reaction, high frequency inverters tend to run hotter than low frequency units. Projecta didn't provide me their thoughts on a cause.

And I've had several of both types, from various manufacturers. All inverters run hot -- period. The built-in fans usually aren't adequate, except in costly brands like SMA, Schneider or Victron.

Inverter Spontaneous Combustion

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